Kiwis take on Everest climb for Sir Ed’s Himalayan Trust

Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust and Kathmandu are challenging New Zealanders to climb 8848m this May to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing’s historic ascent.

The challenge will raise funds for life-changing education and healthcare projects in the Everest region of Nepal.

While most participants who have signed up for the Himalayan Trust Summit Challenge so far are planning to run, walk, bike or climb to ascend the height of Everest next month (an average of 295m every day), some are interpreting the challenge more creatively.

“One woman is planning to push and pull a sled loaded with her bodyweight for the 8848m, another will be climbing 8848 steps in her office building, and one 91-year old gentleman plans to walk 8848m along his local beach,” says Himalayan Trust General Manager Prue Smith.

“The Summit Challenge can be done anywhere, anytime in May. So far, we have teams and individuals signing up from all across New Zealand, and even as far afield as Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Canada.”

Himalayan Trust Summit Challenge Ambassador Hasely Lobb from New Plymouth came up with the idea for the challenge last November.

“I hiked and biked trails around Mount Taranaki and even climbed flights of steps around New Plymouth to reach 8848m. I had a fantastic time doing it and got a lot out of it – plenty of fitness!”

All the funds raised through the challenge will support the work of the Himalayan Trust, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in the 1960s to help improve life for the people who made his adventures in the Himalayas possible.

“By taking part in the Himalayan Trust Summit Challenge, people will be helping to keep Sir Ed’s legacy alive,” says Smith. “The money raised will support quality education, safe water and vital healthcare for remote mountain communities in the Everest region of Nepal.”

Hasely Lobb has signed up to do the Summit Challenge again this May: “Together we can make a huge difference for the people of the Everest region”.